The Turkmen Alabai is one of the most ancient breeds. The origins of this dog are closely linked to natural selection. Around six thousand years ago, the people who inhabited what is now Central Asia needed dogs to guard their livestock. For this purpose, they bred mastiffs, the ancestors of the Turkmen wolfhound.
Only the very best dogs were selected to guard and repel enemies. This folk breeding resulted in a hardy, courageous, and strong dog that became a reliable protector and best friend for humans.
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Turkmenian Wolfhound: photo, main characteristics
Hardy and strong, Alabai dogs are proportionate and harmoniously built. They have well-defined muscles and elastic, thick skin. The height at the withers of the dog reaches 70 cm for males and 65 cm for females. Half of the dog's height is made up of long forelimbs.
The Turkmen wolfhound has:
- developed muscles of the hind and front legs;
- massive head and muzzle;
- thick lips;
- smooth transition from the forehead to the muzzle;
- pronounced brow ridges;
- wide jaws;
- large white teeth;
- massive neck with dewlap.
The Alabai's thick coat can be fawn, brown, red, gray, black, or even brindle. Turkmenian wolfhounds may have close-lying short or long hair up to 10 cm long.
A dog's triangular ears can be cropped, but this isn't a mandatory requirement of the standard. An undocked tail is also not considered a fault at shows.
Alabai character
Turkmen wolfhounds are strong and active dogs with a balanced character and a stable psyche. Males of the breed have a calm disposition, while females are more restless and active.
The Alabai harmoniously combines aristocratic traits with the strength of a wild animal. Wolfhounds are genetically ingrained with aggression toward other four-legged animals, which is why they can stand up for themselves wellThey are ready to literally tear apart any strange dog, but they are quite calm with their fellow dogs living in the same yard.
Alabai are generally calm with other pets. It's safe to bring a small kitten into a home with an adult Turkmen wolfhound. After a while, the pet will bond with it and become protective.
An Alabai will never attack a person, but is wary of strangers. Turkmen wolfhounds do not tolerate weak-willed owners. If you show weakness early on, training your pet will be difficult. From a very young age, Alabai walk with their heads held high.In a new environment, they immediately seek out the pack leader and try to take his place. Therefore, training a dog and showing it its place is essential from puppyhood.
Turkmenian wolfhounds are very curious and will stick their noses into all sorts of places. If they sniff something interesting, they might even try it with their teeth. Instincts need to be eradicated from a very young age dogs. Otherwise, the dog might eat something bad and die.
It's interesting that Alabai dogs are genetically programmed to be nocturnal. Since shepherds went to bed at night, dogs guarded the herd. And they still do so under the cover of darkness. Asians are on vigilant duty, guarding their territory and owners.
Alabai are also charming and playful dogs who love to run and play. They'll happily join you on walks and entertain their owners with their antics. You have to be on guard because they pose a threat to other dogs.Wolfhounds have a deadly grip, so safety precautions should be taken when walking them.
Training a Turkmen Wolfhound
Alabai puppies are fairly easy to raise and train. They are eager to interact and obey their owners well. Only an experienced dog trainer can retrain an adult dog accustomed to disobedience.
Sensing a weakness in its owner's character, a pet can take advantage of it. This doesn't necessarily mean aggression. Refusing to obey a command, a cunning dog can pretend to be sickFeel sorry for her once, and she'll use these techniques again and again. Therefore, the main goal in training an Alabai is to achieve unquestioning obedience.
From a very early age, aggression towards other dogs in Asian Shepherds must be suppressed. They are especially averse to small dogs. Therefore, these negative aspects must be overcome from puppyhood. the pet should be accustomed to walks with other dogs, and punish any aggression. Otherwise, it will be difficult to walk the city streets and attend dog shows with a grown Alabai.
If you have acquired a Turkmen wolfhound, it is advisable to take obedience training courses and special training courses. After them You can easily train your pet as a bodyguard dog., and with it you won’t be afraid to walk even on the darkest streets of the city.
Care and maintenance
Turkmen Alabai are surprisingly undemanding when it comes to living conditions. Because they were bred in harsh climates, they are unpretentious and can live outdoors. To ensure the dog can escape adverse weather conditions and sleep peacefully, she needs a spacious kennel and enclosureThey tolerate heat and cold well, but can easily suffer from heatstroke on hot summer days. Alabai should be kept indoors until they reach one year of age.
The wolfhound's thick coat is dirt-resistant, so even without special care, it looks clean and tidy for a long time. Dogs shed throughout the year, but especially heavily in the spring. Therefore, the coat needs to be brushed regularlyThis procedure will significantly reduce shedding. It's best to brush your pet outdoors. Many enterprising owners use their dog's fur to knit socks. During shedding season, you can brush out enough fur to make a sweater.
It's important to regularly inspect your dog's ears and eyes. If the ears are cropped, they can become clogged with debris, which should be removed with a cotton swab.
An Alabai's nails need to be trimmed twice a month. Bathing the pet a few times a year is sufficient.
Feeding Features
A large dog should be fed accordingly. The main feeding guidelines for an Alabai include:
- Natural food or dry food should be fresh and high-quality. Refrigerated food should be warmed to room temperature.
- Feeding should take place at the same time.
- The dog should not overeat.
- The remaining food is removed.
- The Asian should always have access to a bowl of water.
- It is prohibited to feed your pet sweets and tubular bones.
- An Alabai should have two bowls. One is for food and the other for water.
- A dog shouldn't lower its head to eat. Therefore, a special stand should be provided for the bowls, and its height should be adjusted as the dog grows.
If the Alabai eats natural products, then you can feed him:
beef and veal (pork is excluded);- replace some of the meat with offal;
- Feed the chicken with caution, making sure there are no tubular bones;
- Soups for wolfhounds are cooked from meat and cereals, which should be half-boiled;
- You can feed your dog oatmeal, buckwheat, rice;
- It is essential to include sea fish, eggs, cottage cheese, dairy and fermented milk products in your diet.
beef and veal (pork is excluded);If you're transitioning your pet to a new food, do so gradually. Slowly replace the old food with the new one every day over the course of a week.
Common diseases of Alabai dogs
Because wolfhounds have a large body mass that puts pressure on their limbs, they often suffer from myositis, arthrosis, tendinitis, and arthritis. exercise and adding vitamins to your diet and minerals are a preventative measure against these diseases.
Insufficient exercise in apartment dogs can lead to many cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, if your pet is gaining excess weight, it's worth increase the number and duration of walks, during which the dog must move actively.
Genetic abnormalities in Turkmenian Alabai include infertility in females and cryptorchidism in males. Eye color and tooth count abnormalities are also common.
Turkmen Alabai are quite popular in our country, so you can buy a puppy without any problems. Do you want to buy a real wolfhound? If you're looking for a puppy with typical breed traits, you'll need to trace its pedigree. But if you simply like Turkmen Alabai and want one as a friend and family pet, then take the puppy you like and raise it as you see fit.
